Motor for windshield cleaners



Feb. 28, 1928. 1,661,134

F. G. FoLBl-:RTH ET AL. l

MOTOR FOR WINDSHIELD CLEANERS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1923 2 Sheets-She 1Feb. 28, 1928. 1,661,134

F. G. FQLBERTH ET AL MOTOR FOR WINDSHIELD CLEANERS Original Filed Oct.3. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In :rentar 1771154221104/ 6MM Milln flerPatented Feb. 28:;928.

4unirsi) STATES PATENT OFFICE] FREDERICK G. FOLBEBTH AND WILLIAM I.

SIGNORE TO' TRIGO PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO,

N EW YORK MOTOR FOB WINDSHIELD CLEANERS.

Original application tied October 3, 1923, Serial No'. 868,367. Dividedand this application Med vAugust 4, 1928. Serial No. 127,005.

This invention relates to motors for automatic windshield cleaners ofthe fluid pressure type, and more particularly to the reciprocatory typewherein the casing 1 s of cylindrical formation and houses a pistoncouple,- eacli piston element of the couple operating in a respectiveend of the cylindrical casing under the influence of properly directedfiuid ressure.

' Heretofore, in the manufacture of windshield cleaneis of the fluidpressure or suction operated type, wherein a'piston reciprocates withina cylinder, the cylinder has been cast from molten metal and itsproportions liave been such as to render the weight and size of thewindshield motor excessively heavy and cumbersome. The casting of thesecylinders has also been quite tedious and expensive, which placedthe'retail price of the cleaner motor out of reach of the averageoperator of the light type of motor vehicles. The present invention aimsto facilitate and clieapen the production of the motor cylinder bystamping the same from sheet metal stock, thereby providing a light andsimple fluid pressure operated motor which may be readily mounted uponthe vehicle windshield frame without the use of special supportingbrackets or the drillingr of many holes through the windshield frame.

The invention has for its object to improve the construction andmounting of the motor easing or cylinder, and in one form may beconsidered as consisting of a pair of opposed sheet iiietal cup membersarranged with their open ends in opposition to each other, and theirclosed ends forming the ends of the cylinder casing, and a clamp memberfor connecting and holding said cup members in axially aligned relation.i

The invention further resides in the construction of this clamp memberand its cooperation with a mounting sleeve whereby the casing may bemounted on the frame of a windshield in a very simple and practicalmanner.

This application is a division of our copending application for patenton an .auto-4 matic windshield cleaner, Serial No. 666,367.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown one embodiment of theinvention. In this showing:

Figure l is a perspective view of a portion filed oct. 3, 1923,

of a windshield and windshield frame showinfir the inventionapplied,

iFigui-e 2 isA a 'central vertical sectional view,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

rommnrn, or CLEVELAND, omo, Asl

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on Figure 5 is a detailsectional view on line 'of Fig. 2,

Figure 6 is a-plan view of the pistons and `connecting member,

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of a semicylindrical casting showing aportion of the valve operating mechanism, and,-

Figiire 8 is a perspective view of asimilar casting showing `thearrangement of the cleaner shaft.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates generallya windshield o1' other transparent window' to be cleaned. The windshieldis mounted in a frame 2 in the usual manner, which frame is formed ofmetal. A cleaner arm 3 is arranged exteriorly of the windshield and isprovided with retaining means 4 adapted to receive a wiper -or cleanerelement 5 adapted to contact with the windshield to be cleaned. Theupper endof the cleaner arm passes through an opening in a cleaner shaft6 and is retained in position by means of a suitable fastening element7. The shaft passes through the windshield frame and extends into amotor casing arranged on the opposite side of the frame within thevehicle. .As shown, the inotoi' easing consists of two cylindricalmembers 8 having their outer ends closed, as at 9. These cylindricalmembers may be formed of any suitable material but are preferably formedof metal and stamped or drawn out. The inner open ends of thecylindrical'members are connected by a clamp consisting of a pair ofsemi-cylindrical castings 9 and 10. As shown, these castings areprovided with recesses 11 at each end, adapted to receive the respectiveends of the cylindrical members 8 and are further provided with upperand lower flanges 12, adapted to receive screws or bolts 13 to securethem to each other and hold the cylindrical members in position.

A pair of spaced pistons are mounted within the casing and eacli pistonis adapted to reciprocate Within one of the cylindrical members. Asshown, each piston comprises a pair of disks 14 and 15, preferablyformed of metal and slightly smaller in diameter than the inner diameterof the cylinders 8. These disks are connected by means of a bolt orscrew 16 which passes through a sheet 17 of rubber or other suitablepacking. As shown,. the rubber sheet is larger than the diameter of thecylinder and is adaptedto form a flange 18 to prevent leakage of air orother fluid around the piston. The pistons are connected by means of aweb 19 which is preferably formed of metal and stamped to provideinclined portions 2O adjacent eachA end and upright end portions 21. Thescrews 16 are received in openings in the end portions 21 of the web tosecure the pistons to the web. The web is provided with a plurality ot'spaced openings 22, which may be' formed in the stamping operation and Wich form a part ot' -the means for transmitting the movement of thepistons to the shaft 6.

The casting 9 ot the clamp is provided with an inwardly extending boss23 which is internally screw-threaded, as at 24. This boss is adapted`to receive a bolt 25 passing through the opening in the windshieldframe and surrounding the shaft. The motor easing is assembled o'n theframe of the windshield by tightening the bolt 25 and the bolt serves asthe sole support and bearing for the cleaner shaft 6. The journalbearing 25 has a head or shoulder for engaging the outer side of thewindshield frame bar. The casting may be further provided withprojecting lugs or pins 26 on its outer face adapted to be received inopenings in the windshield frame to assist m maintaining the motorcasing in position. lA plate 27 is secured to the inner end of thecleaner shaft and this late is provided with an arcuate edge havingteeth 28 formed thereon, providing a segmental gear adapted to mesh withthe openings in the web 19. It will thus be seen that -the reeiprocationof the pistons in the cylinder or -casing oseillates the plate 27 andthus oseillates the cleaner shaft to move the cleaner element over theexterior of the windshield. l

Suitable automatic valve mechanism is provided to connect theoppositeends of the cylinder to a source of suction. As shown, the casting 10 isprovided with an enlargement 29 on its exterior and this enlargement isbored through one end to provide a passage 30. A tube 31 is arranged inthis passage and this tube is adapted-to receive a rubber hose or otherconduit (not shown) by means of which the passage is connected to theintake maifold of an internal combustion engine, or other suctionproducing means (not shown). A passage 32 is connected to the inner endof the passage 31 and extends upwardly. The end of this passage isprovided with a valve seat 33 adapted to be The threads of the with apassage 37 extending to the outer face of the enlargement 29. A passage38 is arranged on each side of the passage 37 and these passages extendinwardly and communicate with longitudinally extending passages 39. Theends of the passages 39 are adapted to receive tubes 40 which extendlongitudinally of the motor casing and are provided with oiiset ends 41,extending through the cylinder casing and communieating with theinterior. In assembling'the motor casing the cup-shaped cylinders orcylindrical members 8 are slid axially into their concaved seats orrecesses 11 and by the same movement the inner ends ot' the tubes 40 areslid into the adjacent ends of passages 39 where they are held securelyby the clamping section 9 and its screws 13.

An arm 42 extends through the casting 10 and the enlargement 29 abovethese passa es and the outer end of the arm is exten ed downwardly as at43, and carries a cupshapcd valve 44 on its lower end. The valve is adated to oscillate over the exterior of the en argement 29 andestablisli'communication between the passage 37 and one of the passages38, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The inner end of the arm 42 isextended downwardly within the cylinder, as at 45, and is provided withan offset por tion 46. A second arm 47 is arranged in an openingextending through the casting 10 and the enlargement 29 and this arm isprovided with an extension 48 within the cylinder extending upwardly.The end of' the arm 47 is offset, as at 49, and arranged over the offsetend 46 of the arm 42. This offset end 49 extends over the plate 27 andthe plate is provided with an arcuate portion v 50, to permit the plateto oscillate Without engaging the arm. An upwardly extending lug 51 isarranged at each end of the arcuate portion and is adapted to engage theoffset 4 9 to swing the arm on its pivot. The inner face of the casting10 is provided with a pair of lugs 52, adapted to engage the extendedportion 48 of the arm to limit its movement. A coil spring .53 isarranged between the odset ends 46 and 49 of the arms, the upper end 54of the spring being arranged over the offset 49 and the lower end 55being arranged over the offset 46 of the lower arm. In order to exert aninward iorce on the arm 42 and retain the valve 44 with each other,whereby the sprin 53 is normally disposed at an angle to t c vertical,as shown in Figure 2 o the drawrxgs. The inner face of the casting 10 isprovi ed with stops 57 similar to the stops 52 but arranged in the pathof the extension 45 on the arm 42 to limit the movement of the arm 42and cause the 'valve 44 to assume positions establishing communicationbetween the central passage 37 and the side passages 38 alternate y.

In o eration, the device is installed or assemb ed by forming an openingin the windshield frame for the reception of the hollow bolt 25. Theinner side of the windshield frame is also provided with o nings (notshown) for the reception of t e lugs 26. The bolt 25 is slid over theshaft 6 through the o ening in the windshield frame and tightenedp inthe bore of the boss 23; It thus forms a securing meansfor the motorcasing and a bearing for the shaft. The tube 31 is connected to a sourceof suction, such as the vacuum tank of a vacuum feed gasoline system ordirectly to the intake manifold of the engine, establishingcommunication between the passages 30, 32 and 37,

and the desired source of suction. In Figure 3 of the drawings, thepistons are shown at the limit of their movement toward the right end ofthe cylinder and the right lug 5l has just engaged and moved the end 49of the arm 47 to shift the valves. The valve 44 is thereby moved fromthe positionyshown in Figure 4 of the drawings, to the left,establishing communication between thel suction passage 37 and thepassage 38 to the left. This creates a differential pressure in thecylinder, exhausting the air from the left end while the right end is incommunication f with the atmosphere through the passages 38 and 39 andtube 40. As the istons move, the

segmental plate oscillates a out the shaft 6 as a center, due to the enagement of the teeth 28 with the arc forme by the openings 22 in the bar19. As the piston reaches its limit of movement, the lug 51 engages theend ofthe arm 47 and swings this arm on its pivot. The movement of thearm is limited by the stop 52. As the end of the arm swings around themain portion of the arm as a center in an arc of a circle, the spring 53is placed under tension, and as soon as the spring passes the pointWhere its center line is on the opposite side of the center of arm 42,the pull is exerted on the end of arm 43 and in an opposite direction toswing this arm and shift the valve to the position shown in Fi ure 4 ofthe drawings. The movement ofg the arm 42 is limited by the stops 57 andcausesthe valve to assume its proper position to establish communicationbetween the assage 37 andeither of the passages 38. s stated, the spring53 is arranged in an angular position to exert an same and size, and

' piston operable .in sai and having` its inner end inward pull on thearm 42 and retain the valve 44 in snug engagement with the face of theenlargement 29. The upper end of the spring exerts an outward pull ontheA arm 47 and prevents displacement of this,

arm.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the that variouschanges in the shape, arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit v0f the invention or the scope of the subjomedclaims.

We claim:

1. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a central memberhaving recesses at its opposite ends and fluid passages opening throughsaid opposite ends, a cylinder comprising a pair of ((:ylindricalmembers, a

drical members having their inner ends open and received in the recessesof said central member through relative sliding axial movenient, a tubecommunicatingly supported in the outer end of each cylindrical memberslidably received in the adjacent end fluid passage of said centralmember by and during positioning movement of the respective cylindricalmember into its end recess, whereby the outer ends of said cylindricalmembers have communication established through the respective tubes withthe fiuid passafres of said central member, valve means or alternatelyconnecting the fluid passages of said central member to a source ofoperating ressure, and means for clamping the cylindrical members intheir respective recesses of said central member and thereby securingthe inner ends of said tubes in said central member fluid passages.

2. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a central memberhaving fluid passages opening though its opposite ends, cupshapedcylinder members arranged with their open ends spaced apart and opposingeach other and engaged with said central member, a tube for eachcylinder member connected at its outer end to the outer end of therespective cylinder member and having its inner end slipped into theadjacent fluid passage of said central member, means for clamping saidcylinder members to said central member and thereby holding the innerends of said tubes engaged in the fluid passages of said central member,and piston elements operable in said cylinder members.

3. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a metal castinghaving a cylinder seat in each end and a fluid passage opencylinder,said cylinv each cylinder and secured at its outer end communieatinglyto the outer end of its cylinder, each tube being supported by itscylinder only at its outer end, the inner ends of said tubes beingslidably received by the respective fluidv passages of lsaid casting byand during axial movement of the cylinders to their seats in saidcasting, said tubes b eing supported at their .inner ends by saidcasting, and means frictionally securing the cylinders in position.

4. In a windshield cleaner motor, a central member having fluid passagesopening through opposite ends, a pair of cylindrical members havingtheir outer ends closed and their inner ends open and secured to saidcentral member against axial sepaiatioii, a tube communicatinglysupported in the outer end of each cylindrical member and having itsinner end slidably received in the adjacent end'of the fluid passagesofsaid central member, a piston oprable in the cylinder thus formed by saicylindrical mem bers, a valve controlling the supply of operating fluidpressure through said fluid passages, and a single member adapted for.being passed through an opening .in a windshield frame, andcooperatingwith the central member for securing the motor to the frameof a windshield.

5. In a windshield cleaner motor, a central member having fluid passagesopening through opposite ends, a pair of cylindrical members havingtheir outer ends closed and their inner ends open and secured to saidcentral member against axial separation, a tube coinmunicatinglysupported in the outer end of each cylindrical member and having itsinner end slidably received in the. adjacent end of the fluid passagesof said central member, a piston operable in the cylinder thus formed bysaid cylindrical members, a valve controlling the supply of operatingfluid pressure through said fluid passages, said central 'member havingan inwardly extending boss, a wiper-actuatin shaft operable by thepiston and extending through the boss, and a'journal support for theshaft consisting of a tubular bolt threadingly engaged in said boss andadapted to extend through an opening in the frame of a windshield forclamping the motor to the windshield frame.

6. In a windshield cleaner motor, a pair of cup-shaped, sheet metalcylindrical members arranged with their open ends in opposition, a clampmember passing about the open ends of the cylindrical members andsecuring the same in axial alinement, said clamping member having aninwardly extending hollow boss, a piston operable in the cylinder formedby said cylindrical members, means under the control ofthe porting therock shaft within the boss and extending outwardly beyond the clampmember for'passing through an opening in the frame of a windshield forsupporting the shaft where it passes the opening in the windshieldframe, the outer end of said journal bearing being provided with ashoulder for impinging against the adjacent side of the windshieldframe, said journal bearing having threaded engagement with the bore ofsaid boss.

7. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a pair ofcup-shaped sheet metal members arranged with their open ends inopposition and in axial alinement, a central casting embracing theopposing ends of said members and clampingly securing saine againstdisplacement, a piston operable in each member, means connecting saidpistons for unity in movement, a wiper shaft operating through saidcasting and operable by and during movement of said pistons, means foroperatively admitting fluid pressure into the outer closed ends of saidinembers, and means constituting a bearingv for the shaft and connectedto the cential casting for supporting the windshield cleaner motor froma windshield frame.

8. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a pair ofcup-shaped sheet metal members arranged with their open ends inopposition and in axial alinement, a central casting embracing theopposed ends of said members and clampingly securing same againstdisplacement, a piston operable in each member, means connecting saidpistons for unity in movement, a wiper shaft operating through saidcasting and operable b and during movement of s'aid pistons, saidcasting having fluid passages openinfv exteriorly of said members andtoward the outer ends thereof, a tube carried by each member incommunication with the outer closed end thereof, said tubes having theirinner ends slidably received in the fluid passages of said casting,valve mechanism supported on said central casting and operable by andduring movement of the pistons for operatively admitting fluid pressurethrough said tubes into the outer closed ends of said members, and meansfor attaching the windshield cleaner motor to the frame of' awindshield, said means cooperating with and engaging the central castingand rotatably supporting the wiper shaft.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH. WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH.

